PA 

8580 

B3 

1901 

MAIN 


UC-NRLF 


*B    73M    flSl 


B  ASI  A 

OF 

JOANNES   SECUNDUS 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/basiaofjoannesseOOjanurich 


m^ 


lil; 


THE 


B  A  S    I  A 

JOANNES  SECUNDUS 

JJUJVSZATED  mTO  £NGLISff  ^VERSE 
TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 

Ti^EPITHALAMIUM) 

WITH  THE  ENGLISH  VERSIONS 
OF 

GEORGE  OGLB 

PREFATORV MEMOIR, 
BY 

AVALLACE  RICE-r^ 


(  VNIV 


or  TMt 


VN1VER8IT 

CHICAGO 

PI^INTED  FOR  FRANK  MORRIS 

AT    THE    COLONIAL    PRESS 

MDCCCCI 


f^^ 

^^ 

^^ 

^^ 

^ 

^m 

t^s 

ifei^3«:y:^'^ 

«tS^ 

COPYRIGHT.    1901,    BY    F.    M.    MORRIS. 


INTRODUCTORY    MEMOIR 

UT  of  the  sombre  writings  of  the  dying 
Middle  Ages  and  blither  notes  of  the 
budding  Renaissance  in  Teutonic  Europe, 
a  single  tune  rises  and  swells  bird-like 
from  the  throat  of  Joannes  Secundus 
Nicolaius  (in  English,  John  Nichols,  2d). 
A  score  of  contemporary  singers  of  his 
own  nation  are  forgotten,  the  only  one  besides  himself 
who  is  still  remembered,  Joannes  Jovianus  Pontanus,  owing 
his  shadowy  fame  to  the  fact  that  he  is  thought  to  have 
been  the  master  of  his  greater  pupil.  What  it  is  that 
has  preserved  the  reputation  of  this  classical  scholar  and 
diplomatist  can  be  seen  in  the  translations  here  subjoined, 
an  ardency  of  sentiment,  a  vividness  of  phrase,  a  buoyancy 
of  spirit,  a  delicacy  of  epithet,  combining  to  make  his  Latin 
measures  excellent  poetry  even  when  poured  from  the  cup 
of  one  language  to  another. 

Joannes  Secundus  was  born  at  The  Hague  on  the  tenth 
day  of  November,  15 11,  on  the  very  day  Martin  Luther 
was  celebrating  his  twenty-eighth  birth  anniversary  in  the 
city  of  Rome,  and  there  acquiring  the  knowledge  of  real- 
ities which  led  soon  after  to  his  protest  and  revolt.  By 
coincidence,  the  day  of  the  birth  of  these  two  men  of  note 
is  also  that  which  brought  Oliver  Goldsmith  (1728)  and 
Johann  Christoph  Friedrich  von  Schiller  (1759)  in  the  world 


14300^^ 


they  have  so  adorned,  making  a  quartette  not  easily  to  be  for- 
gotten. Of  them  all,  the  Dutch  poet  came  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished family.  His  father  was  Nicolaus  Everardus 
(in  English,  Nicholas  Evarts),  a  civil  lawyer  of  such 
attainments  that  he  became  the  favourite  of  the  Emperor 
Charles  V.,  and  his  mother  Eliza  Bladella,  a  woman  of 
many  accomplishments  and  virtues,  duly  transmitted  to  no 
less  than  five  of  her  sons  and  daughters. 

Nicolaus  Everardus  held  many  distinguished  positions 
during  his  life.  Born  at  Middelburg,  on  the  island  of 
Walcheren,  a  part  of  the  province  of  Zealand,  thirty  years 
before  the  discovery  of  America,  he  became,  while  yet  a 
young  man,  the  counsellor  of  the  Emperor  Maximilian, 
whose  grandson  and  successor,  the  great  Charles,  continued 
his  favour.  He  became  a  member  of  the  Grand  Parlia- 
ment of  Mechlin,  was  President  of  the  States  of  Holland 
and  Zealand,  was  long  at  The  Hague  in  places  of  honour, 
and  died  at  Mechlin  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age,  his 
more  distinguished  son  surviving  him  a  little  more  than 
four  years. 

Of  the  children  of  this  worthy  couple,  the  eldest,  Petrus 
Nicolaius  (Peter  Nichols),  became  a  member  of  the  order 
of  Premonstrists,  or  White  Canons,  and  was  a  doctor  both 
of  divinity  and  of  the  civil  law ;  Everardus  Nicolaius  (Evert 
Nichols)  attained  the  distinction  of  knighthood  in  the 
Order  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  as  a  reward  for  his  services 
as  a  member  and  President  of  the  Grand  Parliament  of 


Friesland  and  Mechlin ;  Nicolaus  Nlcolams,  styled  Gradus 
from  his  birth  at  Louvaine,  was  similarly  honoured,  having 
been  treasurer  of  the  province  of  Brabant  and  a  Privy  Coun- 
sellor; Hadrianus  Marius  Nicolaius  (Adrian  Nichols)  also 
attained  knighthood  and  a  seat  in  the  Privy  Council,  and 
was  chancellor  of  the  province  of  Guelderland,  holding  state 
in  the  city  of  Zutphen,  where  Sir  Philip  Sydney  was  later 
to  die  "thirsting,  a  humbler  need  to  slake;"  and  one  of 
the  daughters,  at  least,  Isabella  Nicolaia,  was  a  noted  clas- 
sical scholar  in  the  cloister  where  her  life  was  spent. 

Joannes  Secundus,  his  customary  surname  taken  because 
of  a  paternal  uncle  of  the  same  name,  was  born  when 
The  Hague  was  little  more  than  a  village,  though  it 
had  long  been  a  princely  seat.  Ferdinand  was  ruling  in 
Spain,  Isabella  having  died  seven  years  before;  Julius  II. 
was  Pope,  to  be  succeeded  within  less  than  two  years  by 
Giovanni,  second  son  of  Lorenzo  de*  Medici,  the  Magnifi- 
cent, as  Leo  X. ;  Lewis  XII.  was  King  of  France,  his 
cousin,  Francis  I.,  coming  to  the  throne  four  years  later; 
Henry  VIII.  was  in  the  third  year  of  his  reign  and  the 
twenty-first  of  his  age,  Thomas  Cromwell  —  Wolsey*s  and 
Shakespeare's  Cromwell  —  being  a  wool  merchant  in  that 
Middelburg  which  Everardus  had  recently  quitted.  It  was 
a  time  of  change  in  all  the  European  world.  Wynkin  de 
Worde  was  continuing  the  work  of  Caxton  in  Fleet  Street, 
and  everywhere  the  printing-press  was  carrying  on  the  work 
of  enlightenment.     Margaret  of  Navarre  was  composing  the 


i3iiiM«=-^Jt;aL»: 


Heptameron,  Rabelais  silent  in  his  convent  of  Cordeliers 
at  Fontenay-le-Comte,  Erasmus  introducing  Greek  learn- 
ing in  England  with  the  aid  of  Sir  Thomas  More,  Loyola 
still  a  mere  soldier ;  while  Michelangelo,  Raphael,  Leonardo, 
were  at  the  summit  of  their  power.  It  was  a  time  worth 
being  born  in. 

Joannes  Secundus  exhibited  the  precocity  of  genius,  and 
when  ten  years  old  was  already  a  painter,  sculptor,  and 
poet.  His  youth  was  spent  at  Mechlin,  and  his  education 
was  superb.  When  he  came  to  his  twenty-first  year  he 
was  sent  to  Bourges  to  obtain  his  degrees  in  the  civil  and 
canon  law,  studying  under  Andreas  Alciatus,  himself  a  poet 
of  no  small  rank  in  those  days,  his  "  Emblems  "  being  still 
extant.  Upon  the  return  of  the  youthful  scholar  with  aca- 
demic honours  thick  upon  him  to  Mechlin  in  1533,  he 
found  the  faithless  Julia,  to  whom  his  first  book  of  Elegies 
was  dedicated,  wedded  to  another.  Venerilla  was  taken  in 
her  place ;  but  his  career  was  still  before  him,  and  he  bade 
farewell  to  Holland,  family  influence  obtaining  for  him  the 
post  of  secretary  to  his  Eminence  Joannes  Tavera,  Car- 
dinal Archbishop  of  Toledo.  Here  Venerilla  was  forgotten 
for  Neaera,  a  Spanish  beauty  who  inspired  The  Basia,  this 
masterpiece  being  inscribed  to  her.  The  passion  and  devo- 
tion in  its  measures  may  well  have  been  derived  from  the 
almost  tropical  beauty  which  is  the  birthright  of  the  ardent 
women  of  New  Castile. 

In    1535,  Joannes   accompanied   his    imperial    master. 


8 


Charles  V.,  to  Tunis,  where  war  was  waging  against  Barba- 
rossa,  a  pestiferous  pirate.  But  there  were  no  promptings  to 
write  of  battle  from  this,  and  a  severe  attack  of  fever  the  year 
previous  had  unfitted  him  for  life  in  the  field,  albeit  he  had 
been  a  volunteer  for  the  expedition.  Upon  his  return  to 
Toledo,  he  was  sent  as  ambassador  from  his  patron,  the 
archbishop,  to  congratulate  the  Pontiff,  Paul  III.,  Ales- 
sandro  Farnese,  upon  his  accession  to  the  throne  of  St. 
Peter.  Stricken  by  fever  again,  the  young  man  was  unable 
to  complete  his  journey,  and  thereupon  left  the  heated 
south  for  the  more  congenial  climate  of  Utrecht,  where  he 
was  given  the  secretaryship  under  the  Right  Reverend 
Georgius  Egmundus,  bishop  of  that  diocese.  Meanwhile 
the  fame  of  the  young  man  as  a  poet  had  reached  high 
places,  and  this,  with  his  approved  capacity  for  business, 
caused  the  First  Prothonotary  of  the  Empire  to  send  for 
him.  The  offer  was  a  flattering  one,  being  nothing  less 
than  the  personal  charge  of  the  Latin  letters  of  the  great 
emperor  himself.  Joannes  had  commended  himself  to  the 
Catholic  party  by  his  epitaph  upon  Sir  Thomas  More,  exe- 
cuted in  July,  1535,  at  London,  for  refusing  to  renounce 
his  obedience  to  the  Pope,  and  nothing  could  have  been 
more  promising  than  his  prospects  at  that  time. 

But  it  was  necessary  that  Joannes  should  confer  with  the 
Bishop  of  Utrecht,  and  to  that  end  he  went  to  Tournay,  in 
Hainault,  where  his  patron  was  Abbot  of  the  Benedictine 
monastery.     Here  the  third  attack  of  fever  seized  him,  and 


M*««li)^«tfN 


here  he  died  on  the  eighth  day  of  October,  1536.  He  was 
buried  in  the  abbey  church,  and  tfee  following  epitaph 
inscribed  over  his  tomb : 

lOANNI  HAGENSI 

SECRETARIO    REVERENDISS. 

DOMINI   TRAIECTENSIS   ET 

ABBATI^    HVIVS    PRiELATI 

FRATRES   ET   SORORES   POSVERE 

OBIIT   A.   CI3I0XXXVI 

VIII   KAL.   OCTOB. 

Furious  days  were  soon  upon  the  world,  and  the  slight 
tribute  to  the  poet  dead  in  his  first  flush  of  youth  was  not 
permitted  to  go  unviolatcd  by  the  enemies  of  the  faith  in 
which  he  was  born.  Destroyed  in  the  civil  wars  which 
gave  the  Low  Countries  so  many  an  evil  year,  the  epitaph 
was  restored  later  by  the  pious  order  of  the  Abbot  Caro- 
lus  de  Par,  to  read  as  follows : 

lOANNI   SECVNDO   HAGIENSI 

POET^   CELEBERRIMO   ET  NVLLI   SECVNDO 

CVIVS   TVMVLVM    HiERETICORVM   FVRORE 

ANNO   CIOIDLXVI   VIOLATVM    CAROLVS  DE 

PAR   ABBAS    OB   TANTI   VIRI   MEMORIAM 

RESTAVRARI   C. 

OBIIT   CIOIOXXVI    KALEND.     OCTOB. 

A   SECRETIS   GEORGII   EGMONTANI 

TRAIECTENS.     EPISCOPI   HVIVS   LOCI   PRO- 

ABBATIS 


10 


Within  this  life  which  did  not  round  out  its  twenty-fifth 
year  there  was  much  accomplished.  With  the  fame  of 
Joannes  Secundus  are  bound  up  a  number  of  separate 
works,  including  three  volumes  of  Elegies,  two  of  Epistles, 
one  each  of  Odes,  Epigrams,  Epitaphs,  and  Songs,  besides 
a  volume  of  verse  by  his  brothers.  These  were  edited  by 
Scriverus,  and  published  in  octavo  first  in  1619.  The 
second  edition,  a  duodecimo,  of  1631,  is,  as  in  so  many 
cases,  the  best  edition ;  another  duodecimo  following  twenty 
years  later.  The  finest  and  most  valuable  book  concern- 
ing his  work  was  published  in  Paris  by  Dorat,  with  the 
Latin  partly  translated  and  partly  adapted  into  French,  the 
whole  so  beautifully  embellished  with  illustrations  and  en- 
gravings that  it  became  a  bibliographical  treasure  imme- 
diately upon  its  appearance,  is  held  in  the  highest  estimation 
at  the  present  time,  and  is  to  be  obtained,  if  at  all,  with  the 
greatest  difficulty. 

In  English  it  appears  to  have  been  Thomas  Stanley, 
author  of  "  Lives  of  the  Philosophers,*'  who  first  thought 
the  works  of  Joannes  Secundus  worthy  translation  into  the 
vernacular.  A  portion  of  The  Basia  was  included  by  him 
with  translations  from  Anacreon,  Bion,  and  Moschus  —  a 
grouping  significant  of  the  esteem  in  which  the  work  of  the 
later  Latinist  was  regarded,  placing  it  on  an  apparent  level 
with  that  of  the  three  greater  Greeks.  It  is  worth  while 
transcribing  Stanley's  version  of  the  fourth  Basium,  to 
show  his  rendering: 


1 1 


"  'Tis  no  Kiss  my  Fair  bestows, 
Nectar  'tis  whence  new  Life  flows  5 
All  the  Sweets  which  nimble  Bees 
In  their  ozier  Treasuries 
With  unequalled  Art  repose. 
In  one  Kiss  her  Lips  disclose. 
These,  if  many  I  should  take, 
Soon  would  me  immortal  make, 
RaisM  to  the  divine  Abodes 
And  the  Banquets  of  the  Gods. 

"Be  not,  then,  too  lavish.  Fair! 
But  this  heav'nly  Treasure  spare, 
'Less  thou'lt  too  immortal  be  : 
For  without  thy  Companie, 
What  to  me  are  the  Abodes 
Or  the  Banquets  of  the  Gods  ?  " 

In  1 73 1,  certain  partial  translations  of  The  Basia  having 
appeared  from  the  hands,  respectively,  of  Messrs.  Fenton 
and  Ward,  Bernard  Lintott  published  an  anonymous  trans- 
lation of  The  Basia  complete,  which  is  now  known  to  be 
from  the  hand  of  George  Ogle,  who  died  in  1746  in  the 
forty-third  year  of  his  age.  The  quality  of  this  is  abun- 
dantly shown  by  the  Epithalamium  done  by  him,  translat- 
ing that  of  Joannes  Secundus,  and  here  included.  This 
was  followed  in  1775  by  another  translation  of  The  Basia 
and  certain  other  works  of  Joannes,  also  anonymous.  This 


la 


reached  a  third  edition  in  1778,  being  embellished  by  a  fine 
copperplate  engraving  of  Artemis  and  Endymion,  a  por- 
trait of  Joannes,  both  by  Bartolozzi,  a  rubricated  title-page, 
and  printed  for  J.  Bew  in  Paternoster  Row.  It  is  from 
this  that  The  Basia  complete  are  transcribed  here,  the  origi- 
nal Latin  which  was  published  on  the  opposite  pages  of 
this  hardly  obtainable  edition  being  omitted. 

It  is  not  now  needful  to  descant  upon  the  literary  quality 
of  such  work.  Scholars  in  every  century  since  the  lamen- 
table death  of  the  young  poet  have  borne  brave  testimony 
to  a  worth  which  cannot  be  concealed  even  in  translation. 
It  is  of  his  writings  that  the  learned  Frenchman  said  "  Le 
style  plein,  elegant,  et  tendre  dans  tous  ses  ouvrages," 
and  something  more  than  echoes  of  this  high  praise  are 
abundant  in  English.  The  treatment  of  the  subject  is 
that  of  the  poet's  time,  a  period  in  which  literary  conven- 
tions were  not  so  strict.  This  may  be  seen  in  a  lyric  by 
Shakespeare,  the  second  stanza  of  which  was  added  by 
Fletcher,  treating  of  a  similar  topic  and  published  almost  a 
century  later : 

"  Take,  O  take  those  Lips  away, 
That  so  sweetly  were  forsworn ; 
And  those  Eyes,  the  Break  of  Day, 

Lights  that  do  outshine  the  Morn  5 
But  my  Kisses  bring  again, 
Seals  of  Love,  but  seal'd  in  Vain ! 


13 


ij  Jii|ii    -  .-.  ■!■■_'■  11^' 


"  Hide,  O  hide  those  Hills  of  Snow, 

Which  thy  frozen  Bosom  bears ; 
On  whose  Tops  the  Pinks  that  grow 

Are  of  those  that  April  wears; 
But  my  poor  Heart  first  set  free, 
Bound  in  icy  Chains  by  Thee  !  " 

Ben  Jonson's  beautiful  "  Drink  to  Me  Only  with 
Thine  Eyes  "  is  too  well  known  to  require  quotation,  and 
bears  out  the  theory,  if  one  were  needed,  that  to  sing  of 
kisses  is  to  imply  kissing,  and  in  them  the  whole  of  pas- 
sionate love.  It  is  said  that  there  are  peoples  in  the  world 
who  do  not  know  the  practice ;  but  it  is  notable  that  all  of 
them  lag  behind  in  the  pageant  of  progress.  Even  if  they 
were  to  take  the  vanguard,  it  is  safe  to  say  that  so  long  as 
one  country  still  lives  up  to  its  osculatory  advantages.  The 
Basia  will  be  known  and  admired. 

Wallace  Rice. 

WooDLAWN  Park,  Illinois, 
May  8,  1901. 


14 


^"^^geir. 


THE   TRANSLATOR'S    PREFACE 


N  attempt  to  transfer  unblemished  into 
the  English  language  the  numberless  beau- 
ties with  which  the  "Basia"  of  Secundus 
abound  must  be  reckoned  daring  indeed ; 
lan  attempt  in  which  I  am  not  vain  enough 
to  suppose  I  have  succeeded :  all  I  can 
hope  to  have  effected  by  this  weak  effort 
of  my  pen,  is,  to  have  drawn  a  deserving  author  from  that 
oblivion  in  which  he  has  been  so  long  buried.  And  it 
were  to  be  wished  that  what  I  have  done  might  prove  an 
incentive  to  some  other  person,  whose  abilities  may  render 
him  more  capable,  and  whose  occupations  in  life  may  better 
permit  him,  to  do  that  justice  to  Secundus  which  mine  will 
not,  by  giving  the  world  a  more  elegant  translation  of  this 
singular  and  truly  beautiful  part  of  his  works,  or  of  somq 
other  part,  as  his  fancy  may  lead  him. 

For  my  versification  I  submit  it  to  the  candour  of  the 
reader ;  it  was  begun  as  a  mere  matter  of  amusement,  nor 
had  I  any  intention  of  publishing  it,  till  I  found  that  I  had 
imperceptibly  finished  the  whole  of  the  "  Basia ;  "  when, 
considering  how  little  this  author  was  known,  yet  how  much 
he  merited  attention,  I  was  tempted  to  offer  to  the  world 
my  translation  of  his  "  Kisses,"  indifferent  as  it  may  be. 

It  remains  that  I  should  make  some  apology  for  the 
pieces  added  at  the  end  of  this  work.     It  is  true  they  can^ 


not  boast  all  the  beauties  of  Secundus ;  yet  they  are  pretty 
enough,  and  may  please  some  of  those  who  take  a  delight 
in  poems  of  this  nature ;  but  even  if  we  allow  them  only 
a  scanty  share  of  merit,  we  must  at  least  allow  them  the 
advantage  of  serving  as  a  foil  to  the  superior  excellence  of 
the  Dutch  poet. 


I 


i6 


wm 


mmm 


EPIGRAMS 


17 


./>iliM(fe!  "IL"' 


EPIGRAM 


O  F 

JOANNES      SECUNDUS 

UPON     HIS     BOOK     OF 

KISSES 

[YCINNA    scorns   my   kisses;     they 

are  chaste ! 
Enerv'd  I  seem  in    her    experienc'd 

taste : 
And  ^lia  calls  me,  "  Bard  with  lan- 
guid strings :  " 

She  that  to  love  in  streets  her  ofP rings  brings. 

Perhaps,  my  utmost  strength  they  seek  to  know ! 

And  vigour  prove  !  —  Go,  hateful  wantons,  go  ! 

My  strength,  my  vigour,  long  despair  to  find ; 

For  you  these  kisses  never  were  designed ; 

Never  for  you  were  these  soft  measures  wrought : 

Read  me,  ye  tender  brides  of  boys  untaught ! 

Read  me,  of  brides  untaught  ye  tender  boys ! 

Yet  new  to  Venus'  sweetly-varying  joys  ! 


19 


'% 


'M^ 


EPIGRAM 

OF 

JOANNES      SECUNDUS 

T  O    T  H  E 

GRAMMARIANS 
Why  he  writes  wantonly 

^HY  thus  I  sport  in  wanton-measur'd 

strains ; 
[Why  love,  in  ev'ry  verse,  luxuriant, 

reigns  ? 
To  fright  dull  pedants,  learnedly  un- 
bred; 

And  scholiasts  banish,  unpolitely  read. 
Shou'd  I  my  voice  to  mighty  Caesar  raise ; 
Or  tempt,  of  saint-like  men,  the  sacred  praise : 
What  notes  (oppressive  weight !)  must  I  endure ; 
What  comments,  obvious  readings  to  obscure  ? 
Exposed,  alas  !  to  what  unlettered  strains  ? 
To  boys  the  certain  cause  of  future  pains  ? 


21 


EPIGRAM 

But  while  on  kisses  I  employ  my  song ; 
Kisses !  or  moist  or  dry,  or  short  or  long ; 
Me,  summon  the  unmarried  youth  to  aid ! 
Me,  bent  on  joy,  the  newly  married  maid! 
Me,  the  gay  bard,  whom  lighter  studies  please; 
Wisely  indulging  in  delicious  ease ! 
But  from  these  sports,  ye  savage  herd,  abstain ! 
These  never  with  unhallowed  hands  profane ! 
Nor  turn  to  grief  what  we  to  mirth  design  ! 
Lest,  punished  for  some  soft  perverted  line, 
Wrong'd  innocence,  with  tears  unjustly  shed, 
**  Wish  the  cold  earth  lie  heavy  on  the  dead." 


22 


THE 


KISSES 


o  P 


JOANNES        SECUNDUS 


23 


KISSES 


25 


pill    I II  ■  ■>  II I  |ii|ii 


mA'^  '^ 


KISSES 


KISS   I 

HEN  young  Ascanius,  by  the  queen 

of  love. 
Was  borne  to  sweet  Cythera's  lofty 

grove. 
His  languid  limbs  upon  a  couch  she 
laid, 

A  fragrant  couch  !  of  new-blow^n  vilets  made ; 
The  blissful  bow'r  with  shadowing  roses  crown'd. 
And  balmy-breathing  airs  diffused  around. 

The  sleeping  youth  in  silence  she  admir'd; 
And,  with  remembrance  of  Adonis  fir'd. 
Strong  and  more  strong  her  wonted  flames  return'd, 
Thriird  in  each  vein,  and  in  her  bosom  burn'd. 
How  oft  she  wished,  as  she  surveyed  his  charms. 
Around  his  neck  to  throw  her  eager  arms  I 


27 


KISS   I 

Oft  would  she  say,  admiring  ev'ry  grace, 

**  Such  was  Adonis  I  such  his  lovely  face !  " 

But  fearing  lest  this  fond  excess  of  joy 

Might  break  the  slumber  of  the  beauteous  boy. 

On  ev'ry  rosebud  that  around  him  blow'd 

A  thousand  nectar'd  kisses  she  bestowed ; 

And  straight  each  opening  bud,  which  late  was  white, 

Blush'd  a  warm  crimson  to  th'  astonish' d  sight : 

Still  in  Dione's  breast  soft  wishes  rise. 

Soft  wishes !  vented  with  soft-whisper*d  sighs  I 

Thus,  by  her  lips  unnumber'd  roses  pressed. 

Kisses,  unfolding  in  sweet  bloom,  confess' d ; 

And,  flush'd  with  rapture  at  each  new-born  kiss. 

She  felt  her  swelling  soul  o'erwhelm'd  in  bliss. 

Now  round  this  orb,  soft-floating  on  the  air. 
The  beauteous  goddess  speeds  her  radiant  car : 
As  in  gay  pomp  the  harness'd  cygnets  fly. 
Their  snow-white  pinions  glitter  thro'  the  sky ; 
And  like  Triptolemus,  whose  bounteous  hand 
Strew'd  golden  plenty  o'er  the  fertile  land. 
Fair  Cytherea,  as  she  flew  along. 


28 


KISS   I 

O'er  the  vast  lap  of  Nature  kisses  flung : 

Pleas'd    from  on  high   she   view'd   th'    enchanted 

ground. 
And  from  her  lips  thrice  fell  a  magic  sound : 
He  gave  to  mortals  corn  on  ev'ry  plain ; 
But  she  those  sweets  which  mitigate  my  pain. 

Hail,  then,  ye  kisses  !  that  can  best  assuage 
The  pangs  of  love,  and  soften  all  its  rage ! 
Ye  balmy  kisses  !  that  from  roses  sprung ; 
Roses !  on  which  the  lips  of  Venus  hung. 
Lo !  I'm  the  bard,  while  o'er  Pierian  shades 
The  tuneful  mountain  rears  its  sacred  heads. 
While  whisp'ring  verdures  skirt  the  laurell'd  spring. 
Whose  fond,  impassion' d  muse  of  you  shall  sing  ; 
And  Love,  enraptur'd  with  the  Latian  name. 
With  that  dear  race  from  which  your  lineage  came. 
In  Latian  strains  shall  celebrate  your  praise. 
And  tell  your  high  descent  to  future  days. 


29 


KISS   II 

IS  round  some  neighboring  elm  the  vine 
Its  am'rous  tendrils  loves  to  twine ; 
As  round  the  oak,  in  many  a  maze. 
The  ivy  flings  its  gadding  sprays : 
Thus !  let  me  to  your  snowy  breast, 
[My  dear  Neaera  !  thus  be  prest ; 

While  I  as  fondly  in  my  arms, 

Neaera  !  clasp  thy  yielding  charms ; 

And,  with  one  long,  long  kiss,  improve 

Our  mutual  ecstasies  of  love. 

Should  Ceres  pour  her  plenteous  hoard. 
Should  Bacchus  crown  the  festive  board. 
Should  balmy  sleep  luxurious  spread 
His  downy  pinions  o'er  my  head; 
Yet  not  for  these  my  joys  I'd  break. 
For  these  !  thy  vermil  lips  forsake. 
At  length,  when  ruthless  age  denies 
A  longer  bliss,  and  seals  our  eyes. 
One  bark  shall  waft  our  spirits  o'er. 
United,  to  the  Stygian  shore : 
Then,  passing  thro'  a  transient  night. 


30 


KISS   II 

We'll  enter  soon  those  fields  of  light. 
Where,  breathing  richest  odours  round, 
A  spring  eternal  paints  the  ground; 
Where  heroes  once  in  valour  prov'd. 
And  beauteous  heroines  once  belov'd. 
Again  with  mutual  passion  burn. 
Feel  all  their  wonted  flames  return ; 
And  now  in  sportive  measures  tread 
The  flow'ry  carpet  of  the  mead ; 
Now  sing  the  jocund,  tuneful  tale 
Alternate  in  the  myrtle  vale : 
Where  ceaseless  zephyrs  fan  the  glade, 
Soft-murm'ring  thro'  the  laurel-shade ; 
Beneath  whose  waving  foliage  grow 
The  vi'let  sweet  of  purple  glow. 
The  daffodil  that  breathes  perfume. 
And  roses  of  immortal  bloom ; 
Where  earth  her  fruits  spontaneous  yields. 
Nor  ploughshare  cuts  th'  unfurrow'd  fields. 

Soon  as  we  enter  these  abodes 
Of  happy  souls,  of  demi-gods. 


31 


KISS   II 

The  blest  shall  all  respectful  rise. 
And  view  us  with  admiring  eyes ; 
Shall  seat  us  'mid  th'  immortal  throng. 
Where  I,  renown'd  for  tender  song. 
Shall  gain  with  Homer  equal  praise. 
And  share  with  him  poetic  bays ; 
While  thou,  enthroned  above  the  rest. 
Wilt  shine  in  beauty's  train  confest : 
Nor  shall  the  mistresses  of  Jove 
Such  partial  honours  disapprove ; 
E'en  Helen,  tho'  of  race  divine. 
Will  to  thy  charms  her  rank  resign. 


3* 


KISS   III 

NE    kiss,    enchanting    maid ! "     I 

cry'd ;  — 

One  little  kiss  !  and  then  adieu  ! 
Your    lips,    with   luscious    crimson 

dyed. 

To  mine  with  trembling  rapture 

flew: 


But  quick  those  lips  my  lips  forsake. 

With  wanton,  tantalising  jest ; 
So  starts  some  rustic  from  the  snake 

Beneath  his  heedless  footstep  prest : 

Is  this  to  grant  the  wish'd-for  kiss  ?  — 
Ah,  no,  my  love  !  —  'tis  but  to  fire 

The  bosom  with  a  transient  bliss, 
Enflaming  unallay'd  desire. 


33 


KISS  IV 

IIS  not  a  kiss  you  give,  my  love ! 

jTis  richest  nectar  from  above  ! 

I A  fragrant  show'r  of  balmy  dews. 

Which  thy  sweet  lips  alone  diffuse ! 

'Tis  ev  ry  aromatic  breeze 
'hat  wafts  from  Afric's  spicy  trees ! 
'Tis  honey  from  the  osier  hive. 
Which  chymist  bees  with  care  derive 
From  all  the  newly-open'd  flow'rs 
That  bloom  in  Cecrops'  roseate  bow'rs. 
Or  from  the  breathing  sweets  that  grow 
On  fam'd  Hymettus'  thymy  brow : 
But  if  such  kisses  you  bestow. 
If  from  your  lips  such  raptures  flow. 
Thus  blest !  supremely  blest  by  thee ! 
Ere  long  I  must  immortal  be ; 
Must  taste  on  earth  those  joys  that  wait 
The  banquets  of  celestial  state. 
Then  cease  thy  bounty,  dearest  fair ! 
Such  precious  gifts,  then,  spare !  oh  spare ! 
Or,  if  I  must  immortal  prove. 
Be  thou  immortal,  too,  my  love  I 


34 


KISS   IV 

For,  should  the  heav'nly  powVs  request 
My  presence  at  th*  ambrosial  feast ; 
Nay,  should  they  Jove  himself  dethrone. 
And  yield  to  me  his  radiant  crown ; 
rd  scorn  it  all,  nor  would  I  deign 
O'er  golden  realms  of  bliss  to  reign ; 
Jove's  radiant  crown  Fd  scorn  to  wear. 
Unless  thou  mightst  such  honours  share ; 
Unless  thou,  too,  with  equal  sway, 
Mightst  rule  with  me  the  realms  of  day. 


3S 


KISS   V 

HILE  you,  Nesera,  close  entwine 
In    frequent   folds   your  frame  with 

mine; 
And  hanging  o'er,  to  view  confest. 
Your  neck,  and  gently-heaving  breast ; 
gj  Down  on  my  shoulders  soft  decline 
Your  beauties  more  than  half  divine ; 
With  wand'ring  looks  that  o'er  me  rove. 
And  fire  the  melting  soul  with  love : 

While  you,  Neaera,  fondly  join 
Your  little  pouting  lips  with  mine. 
And  frolic  bite  your  amVous  swain. 
Complaining  soft  if  bit  again ; 
And  sweetly-murm'ring  pour  along 
The  trembling  accents  of  your  tongue. 
Your  tongue  !  now  here  now  there  that  strays. 
Now  here  now  there  delighted  plays ; 
That  now  my  humid  kisses  sips. 
Now  wanton  darts  between  my  lips ; 
And  on  my  bosom  raptur'd  lie, 
Venting  the  gently-whisper'd  sigh ; 


36 


KISS   V 

A  sigh  !  that  kindles  warm  desires. 
And  kindly  fans  life's  drooping  fires ; 
Soft  as  the  zephyr's  breezy  wing. 
And  balmy  as  the  breath  of  spring : 


While  you,  sweet  nymph  !  with  am'rous  play. 
In  kisses  suck  my  breath  away ; 
My  breath !  with  wasting  warmth  replete, 
Parch'd  by  my  breast's  contagious  heat ; 
Till,  breathing  soft,  you  pour  again 
Returning  life  thro'  ev'ry  vein ; 
And  thus  elude  my  passion's  rage. 
Love's  burning  fever  thus  assuage  : 
Sweet  nymph !  whose  sweets  can  best  allay 
Those  fires  that  on  my  bosom  prey ; 
Sweet  as  the  cool  refreshing  gale 
That  blows  when  scorching  heats  prevail ! 


Then,  more  than  blest,  I  fondly  swear. 
No  pow'r  can  with  love's  pow'r  compare ! 


37 


KISS   V 

None  in  the  starry  court  of  Jove 
Is  greater  than  the  god  of  love ! 
If  any  can  yet  greater  be. 
Yes,  my  Neaera  !  yes,  'tis  thee  !  " 


38 


KISS   VI 

WO  thousand  kisses  of  the  sweetest 
kind, 

'Twas  once  agreed,  our  mutual  love 
should  bind  ; 

First  from  my  lips  a  raptVous  thou- 
sand flowed. 
Then  you  a  thousand  in  your  turn  bestow'd  ; 
The  promised  numbers  were  fulfilled,  I  own. 
But  love  suffic'd  with  numbers  ne'er  was  known  ! 
What  mortal  strives  to  count  each  springing  blade. 
That  spreads  the  surface  of  a  grassy  mead  ? 
Who  prays  for  number' d  ears  of  rip'ning  grain. 
When  lavish  Ceres  yellows  o'er  the  plain  ? 
Or  to  a  scanty  hundred  wou'd  confine 
The  clustering  grapes,  when  Bacchus  loads  the  vine  ? 
Who  asks  the  guardian  of  the  honied  store 
To  grant  a  thousand  bees,  and  grant  no  more  ? 
Or  tells  the  drops,  while  o'er  some  thirsty  field 
The  liquid  stores  are  from  above  distill' d  ? 
When  Jove  with  fury  hurls  the  moulded  hail, 
And  earth  and  sea  destructive  storms  assail. 
Or  when  he  bids,  from  his  tempestuous  sky. 


39 


mm 


■lull*  iraw 


KISS   VI 

The  winds  unchain'd  with  wasting  horror  fly. 

The  god  ne'er  heeds  what  harvests  he  may  spoil. 

Nor  yet  regards  each  desolated  soil : 

So,  when  its  blessings  bounteous  Heav'n  ordains. 

It  ne'er  with  sparing  hand  the  good  restrains  ; 

Evils  in  like  abundance,  too,  it  show'rs ; 

Well  suits  profusion  with  immortal  pow'rs  ! 

Then  since  such  gifts  with  heav'nly  minds  agree. 

Shed,  goddess-like,  your  blandishments  on  me; 

And  say,  Neaera  !  for  that  form  divine 

Speaks  thee  descended  of  aetherial  line; 

Say,  goddess  !  than  that  goddess  lovelier  far 

Who  roams  o'er  ocean  in  her  pearly  car ; 

Your  kisses,  boons  celestial !  why  withhold  ? 

Or  why  by  scanty  numbers  are  they  told  ? 

Still   you   ne'er   count,    hard-hearted    maid !    those 

sighs 
Which  in  my  lab' ring  breast  incessant  rise ; 
Nor  yet  those  lucid  drops  of  tender  woe. 
Which  down  my  cheeks  in  quick  succession  flow. 
Yes,  dearest  life !  your  kisses  number  all ; 
And  number,  too,  my  sorrowing  tears  that  fall : 


40 


«VH 


KISS   VI 

Or,  If  you  count  not  all  the  tears,  my  fair ! 

To  count  the  kisses  sure  you  must  forbear. 

But  let  thy  lips  now  soothe  a  lover's  pain ; 

(Yet  griefs  like  mine  what  soothings  shall  restrain  ! ) 

If  tears  unnumbered  pity  can  regard, 

Unnumber'd  kisses  must  each  tear  reward. 


41 


KISS   VII 

g/ISSES  told  by  hundreds  o'er! 
Thousands  told  by  thousands  more ! 
Millions  !   countless  millions  !  then. 
Told  by  millions  o'er  again ! 
Countless !  as  the  drops  that  glide 
In  the  ocean's  billowy  tide, 

Countless  !  as  yon  orbs  of  light 

Spangled  o'er  the  vault  of  night, 

I'll  with  ceaseless  love  bestow 

On  those  cheeks  of  crimson  glow. 

On  those  lips  of  gentle  swell. 

On  those  eyes  where  raptures  dwell. 


But  when  circled  in  thy  arms. 
As  I'm  panting  o'er  thy  charms. 
O'er  thy  cheeks  of  rosy  bloom, 
O'er  thy  lips  that  breathe  perfume. 
O'er  thine  eyes  so  sweetly-bright. 
Shedding  soft-expressive  light. 
Then,  nor  cheeks  of  rosy  bloom. 
Nor  thy  lips  that  breathe  perfume. 


42 


KISS   VII 

Nor  thine  eyes,  expressive  light. 
Bless  thy  lover's  envious  sight ; 
Nor  that  soothing  smile,  w^hich  cheers 
All  his  tender  hopes  and  fears : 
For,  as  radiant  Phoebus  streams 
O'er  the  globe  w^ith  placid  beams. 
Whirling  thro'  th'  aetherial  way 
The  fiery-axled  car  of  day. 
And  from  the  tempestuous  sky. 
While  the  rapid  coursers  fly. 
All  the  stormy  clouds  are  driv'n. 
Which  deform'd  the  face  of  heav'n ; 
So,  thy  golden  smile,  my  fair ! 
Chases  ev'ry  am'rous  care ; 
Dries  the  torrents  of  mine  eyes. 
Calms  my  fond,  tumultuous  sighs. 


Oh  !  how^  emulous  the  strife 
'Tvv^ixt  my  lips  and  eyes,  sw^eet  life ! 
Of  thy  charms  are  these  possest. 
Those  are  envious  till  they're  blest : 


43 


KISS   VII 

Think  not,  then,  that,  in  my  love, 
ril  be  rivaird  e'en  by  Jove, 
When  such  jealous  conflicts  rise 
'Twixt  my  very  lips  and  eyes. 


44 


KISS   VIII 


H  !  what  ungovern'd  rage,  declare, 
iNeaera,  too  capricious  fair  ! 
I  What  unreveng'd,  unguarded  wrong. 
Could  urge  thee  thus  to  wound  my 


tongue  ? 


Perhaps  you  deem  th'  afflictive  pains 
Too  trifling,  which  my  heart  sustains ; 
Nor  think  enough  my  bosom  smarts 
With  all  the  sure,  destructive  darts 
Incessant  sped  from  evVy  charm ; 
That  thus  your  wanton  teeth  must  harm. 
Must  harm  that  little  tuneful  thing. 
Which  wont  so  oft  thy  praise  to  sing ; 
What  time  the  morn  has  streak' d  the  skies. 
Or  ev'ning's  faded  radiance  dies ; 
Thro'  painful  days  consuming-slow. 
Thro'  ling' ring  nights  of  am'rous  woe. 

This  tongue,  thou  know'st,  has  oft  extoU'd 
Thy  hair  in  shining  ringlets  roU'd, 
Thine  eyes  with  tender  passion  bright. 


45 


KISS  VIII 

Thy  swelling  breast  of  purest  white. 
Thy  taper  neck  of  polish' d  grace. 
And  all  the  beauties  of  thy  face. 
Beyond  the  lucid  orbs  above. 
Beyond  the  starry  throne  of  Jove ; 
Extoird  them  in  such  lofty  lays ! 
That  gods  with  envy  heard  the  praise. 

Oft  has  it  call'd  thee  evVy  name 
Which  boundless  rapture  taught  to  frame 
My  life  !  my  joy  !  my  soul's  desire  ! 
All  that  my  wish  cou'd  e'er  require ! 
My  pretty  Venus !  and  my  love  ! 
My  gentle  turtle  !  and  my  dove  ! 
Till  Cypria's  self  with  envy  heard 
Each  partial,  each  endearing  word. 

Say,  beauteous  tyrant !  dost  delight 
To  wound  this  tongue  in  wanton  spite  ? 
Because,  alas  !  too  well  aware 
That  ev'ry  wrong  it  yet  could  bear 
Ne'er  urg'd  it  once  in  angry  strain 


46 


I 


KISS   VIII 

Of  thy  unkindness  to  complain ; 

But  sufF'ring  patient  all  its  harms. 

Still  wou*d  it  sing  thy  matchless  charms! 

Sing  the  soft  lustre  of  thine  eye ! 

Sing  thy  sweet  lips  of  rosy  dye  ! 

Nay,  still  those  guilty  teeth  'twould  sing! 

Whence  all  its  cruel  mischiefs  spring : 

E'en  now  it  lisps,  in  fait' ring  lays. 

While  yet  it  bleeds,  Neaera's  praise : 

Thus,  beauteous  tyrant !  you  control. 

Thus  sway  my  fond,  enamour' d  soul  I 


47 


KISS   IX 

EASE  thy  sweet,  thy  balmy  kisses ; 

Cease  thy  many-wreathed  smiles ; 
Cease  thy  melting,  murmVing  blisses ; 

Cease  thy  fond,  bewitching  wiles : 

On  my  bosom  soft-reclin'd. 
Cease  to  pour  thy  tender  joys : 
Pleasure's  limits  are  confin'd. 
Pleasure  oft-repeated  cloys. 

Sparingly  your  bounty  use ; 

When  I  ask  for  kisses  nine, 
Sev'n  at  least  you  must  refuse. 

And  let  only  two  be  mine : 

Yet  let  these  be  neither  long. 

Nor  delicious  sweets  respire ! 
But  like  those  which  virgins  young 

Artless  give  their  aged  sire : 

Such  !  as,  with  a  sister's  love. 
Beauteous  Dian  may  bestow 


48 


KISS   IX 

On  the  radiant  son  of  Jove, 
Phoebus  of  the  silver  bow. 

Tripping-light,  with  wanton  grace. 

Now  my  lips  disordered  fly. 
And  in  some  retired  place 

Hide  thee  from  my  searching  eye : 

Then  in  sportive,  am'rous  play, 
Victor-like,  I'll  seize  my  love ; 

Seize  thee  !  as  the  bird  of  prey 
Pounces  on  a  trembling  dove. 

Each  recess  I'll  traverse  o'er. 

Where  I  think  thou  liest  conceal'd ; 

Ev'ry  covert  I'll  explore. 

Till  my  wanton's  all  revealed. 

Now  your  arms  submissive-raising, 

Round  my  neck  those  arms  you'll  throw ; 

Now  sev'n  kisses  sweetly-pleasing 
For  your  freedom  you'll  bestow : 


49 


KISS   IX 

But  those  venal  sev'n  are  vain ;  — 

Sev'n-times-sev'n's  the  price,  sweet  maid ! 

Thou  my  pris  ner  shalt  remain. 
Till  the  balmy  ransom's  paid. 

Paying,  then,  the  forfeit  due. 

By  thy  much-lov'd  beauties  swear, 

Faults  like  these  you'll  still  pursue. 
Faults !  which  kisses  can  repair. 


50 


KISS   X 


N    various    kisses   various    charms    I 

find. 
For  changeful  fancy  loves  each  change- 
ful kind : 
'Whene'er  with  mine  thy  humid  lips 
unite. 

Then  humid  kisses  with  their  sweets  delight ; 
From  ardent  lips  so  ardent  kisses  please, 
For  glowing  transports  often  spring  from  these. 
What  joy  !  to  kiss  those  eyes  that  wanton  rove. 
Then  catch  the  glances  of  returning  love ; 
Or  clinging  to  the  cheek  of  crimson  glow. 
The  bosom,  shoulder,  or  the  neck  of  snow. 
What  pleasure !  tender  passion  to  assuage. 
And  see  the  traces  of  our  am'rous  rage 
On  the  soft  neck  or  blooming  cheek  exprest. 
On  the  white  shoulder,  or  still  whiter  breast. 
'Twixt  yielding  lips,  in  ev'ry  thrilling  kiss. 
To  dart  the  trembling  tongue — what  matchless  bliss ! 
Inhaling-sweet  each  other's  mingling  breath. 
While  love  lies  gasping  in  the  arms  of  death ! 
While  soul  with  soul  in  ecstasy  unites. 


51 


KISS   X 

Intranc'd,  impassioned  with  the  fond  delights ! 
From  thee  receiv'd,  or  giv'n  to  thee,  my  love ! 
Alike  to  me  those  kisses  grateful  prove ; 
The  kiss  that's  rapid,  or  prolonged  with  art. 
The  fierce,  the  gentle,  equal  joys  impart. 
But  mark ;  —  be  all  my  kisses,  beauteous  maid  ! 
With  diff'rent  kisses  from  thy  lips  repaid ; 
Then  varying  raptures  shall  from  either  flow. 
As  varying  kisses  either  shall  bestow : 
And  let  the  first,  who  with  an  unchang'd  kiss 
Shall  cease  to  thus  diversify  the  bliss. 
Observe,  with  looks  in  meek  submission  dress'd. 
That  law  by  which  this  forfeiture's  expressed : 
"  As  many  kisses  as  each  lover  gave. 
As  each  might  in  return  again  receive. 
So  many  kisses,  from  the  vanquished  side. 
The  victor  claims,  so  many  ways  applied.'* 


52 


KISS   XI 


OME  think  my  kisses  too  luxurious 
told. 

Kisses  !  they  say,  not  known  to  sires 
of  old: 

But,   while    entranc'd   on   thy  soft 
neck  I  lie. 
And  o  er  thy  lips  in  tender  transport  die. 
Shall  I  then  ask,  dear  life !  perplexed  in  vain. 
Why  rigid  cynics  censure  thus  my  strain  ? 
Ah,  no !  thy  blandishments  so  raptVous  prove. 
That  every  ravish'd  sense  is  lost  in  love ; 
Blest  with  those  blandishments,  divine  I  seem. 
And  all  Elysium  paints  the  blissful  dream." 
Neaera  heard  ;  —  then,  smiling,  instant  threw 
Around  my  neck  her  arm  of  fairest  hue ; 
And  kiss'd  me  fonder,  more  voluptuous  far. 
Than  beauty's  queen  e'er  kiss'd  the  god  of  war : 
"  What !    (cries  the  nymph,)  and  shall  my  amVous 

bard 
Pedantic  wisdom's  stern  decree  regard  ? 
Thy  cause  must  be  at  my  tribunal  tried. 
None  but  Neaera  can  the  point  decide." 


53 


KISS   XII 


Verse 


lODEST  matrons,  maidens,  say. 
Why  thus  turn  your  looks  away? 
Frolic  feats  of  lawless  love. 
Of  the  lustful  powVs  above ; 
Forms  obscene,  that  shock  the  sight. 
In  my  verse  I  ne'er  recite ; 
nought  indecent  reigns ; 

Guiltless  are  my  tender  strains ; 

Such  as  pedagogues  austere 

Might  with  strict  decorum  hear. 

Might,  with  no  licentious  speech. 

To  their  youth  reproachless  teach. 

I,  chaste  vot'ry  of  the  nine  ! 

Kisses  sing  of  chaste  design  : 

Maids  and  matrons  yet,  with  rage. 

Frown  upon  my  blameless  page ; 

Frown,  because  some  wanton  word 

Here  and  there  by  chance  occurr'd. 

Or  the  cheated  fancy  caught 

Some  obscure,  tho*  harmless  thought. 

Hence,  ye  prudish  matrons  !  hence. 

Squeamish  maids  devoid  of  sense  ! 


54 


KISS   XII 

And  shall  these  in  virtue  dare 
With  my  virtuous  maid  compare  ? 
She !  who  in  the  bard  w^ill  prize 
What  she'll  in  his  lays  despise ; 
Wantonness  with  love  agrees. 
But  reserve  in  verse  must  please. 


55 


KISS  XIII 

ITH  am'rous  strife  exanimate  I  lay. 

Around  your  neck  my  languid  arm 

I  threw; 
My  trembling  heart  had  just  forgot 

to  play, 

Its^  vital  spirit  from  my  bosom  flew  : 


The  Stygian  lake ;   the  dreary  realms  below. 
To  which  the  sun  a  cheering  beam  denies ; 

Old  Charon's  boat,  slow-wand'ring  to  and  fro. 
Promiscuous  pass'd  before  my  swimming  eyes : 

When  you,  Neaera !  with  your  humid  breath. 

O'er  my  parch'd  lips  the  deep-fetch'd  kiss  bestow'd ; 

Sudden,  my  fleeting  soul  return' d  from  death. 
And  freightless  hence  th'  infernal  pilot  row'd. 

Yet  soft,  —  for,  oh  !  my  erring  senses  stray ;  — 
Not  quite  unfreighted  to  the  Stygian  shore 

Old  Charon  steer' d  his  lurid  bark  away. 
My  plaintive  shade  he  to  the  Manes  bore. 


56 


KISS   XIII 

Then  since  my  soul  can  here  no  more  remain, 
A  part  of  thine,  sweet  life  !  that  loss  supplies ; 

But  what  this  feeble  fabric  must  sustain. 
If  of  thy  soul  that  part  its  aid  denies  ? 

And  much  I  fear :  —  for,  struggling  to  be  free. 
Oft  from  its  new  abode  it  fain  wou'd  roam ; 

Oft  seeks,  impatient  to  return  to  thee. 
Some  secret  pass  to  gain  its  native  home. 

Unless  thy  fost'ring  breath  retards  its  flight. 
It  now  prepares  to  quit  this  falling  frame ; 

Haste,  then ;  to  mine  thy  clingy  lips  unite. 
And  let  one  spirit  feed  each  vital  flame ! 

Till,  after  frequent  ecstasies  of  bliss. 

Mutual,  unsating  to  th'  impassion' d  heart. 

From  bodies  thus  conjoined,  in  one  long  kiss. 
That  single  life  which  nourished  both  shall  part. 


57 


KISS   XIV 

HOSE  tempting  lips,  of  scarlet  glow, 
Why  pout  with  fond,  bewitching 
art? 

For  to  those  lips,  Neaera  !  know. 
My  lips  shall  not  one  kiss  impart. 


Perhaps  you'd  have  me  greatly  prize. 
Hard-hearted  fair  !  your  precious  kiss ; 

But  learn,  proud  mortal !   I  despise 
Such  cold,  such  unimpassion'd  bliss. 


Think'st  thou  I  calmly  feel  the  flame 
That  all  my  rending  bosom  fires  ? 

And  patient  bear,  thro'  all  my  frame, 
The  pangs  of  unallay'd  desires  ? 

Ah  !  no  ;  —  but  turn  not  thus  aside 
Those  tempting  lips,  of  scarlet  glow  ! 

Nor  yet  avert,  with  angry  pride. 

Those  eyes,  from  whence  such  raptures  flow ! 


S8 


KISS  XIV 

Forgive  the  past,  sweet-natur'd  maid ! 

My  kisses,  love !  are  all  thy  own ; 
Then  let  my  lips  o'er  thine  be  laid. 

O'er  thine  !   more  soft  than  softest  down  ! 


59 


KISS   XV 


H'   Idalian    boy,    to    pierce    Nesera's 
heart. 

Had   bent   his   bow,   had   chose    the 
fatal  dart; 

But  when  the  child,  in  wonder  lost, 
survey' d 

That  brow,  o'er  which  your  sunny  tresses  play'd ! 
Those  cheeks,  that  blush' d  the  rose's  warmest  dye ! 
That  streamy  languish  of  your  lucid  eye  ! 
That  bosom,  too,  with  matchless  beauty  bright ! 
Scarce  Cypria's  own  could  boast  so  pure  a  white ! 
Tho'  mischief  urg'd  him  first  to  wound  my  fair. 
Yet  partial  fondness  urg'd  him  now  to  spare ; 
But,  doubting  still,  he  linger'd  to  decide; 
At  length  resolv'd,  he  flung  the  shaft  aside : 
Then  rush'd  impetuous  to  thy  circling  arms. 
And  hung  voluptuous  o'er  thy  heav'nly  charms : 
There,  as  the  boy  in  wanton  folds  was  laid. 
His  lips  on  thine  in  varied  kisses  play'd ; 
With  ev'ry  kiss  he  tried  a  thousand  wiles ; 
A  thousand  gestures,  and  a  thousand  smiles ; 
Your  inmost  breast  with  Cyprian  odours  fiU'd, 


60 


KISS   XV 

And  all  the  myrtle's  luscious  scent  instiird : 

Lastly,  he  swore  by  ev'ry  pow  r  above  ! 

By  Venus'  self,  the  potent  queen  of  love  I 

That  thou,  blest  nymph !  for  ever  shouldst  remain 

Exempt  from  am  rous  care,  from  amVous  pain. 

What  wonder,  then,  such  balmy  sweets  should  flow 

In  evVy  grateful  kiss  thy  lips  bestow ! 

What  wonder,  then,  obdurate  maid !  you  prove 

Averse  to  all  the  tenderness  of  love ! 


6i 


KISS   XVI 

IRIGHT  as  Venus*  golden  star ! 

[And  as  silver  Cynthia  fair ! 

Nymph,  with  evVy  charm  replete 

Give  an  hundred  kisses  sweet ; 

Then  as  many  kisses  more 
Jo  er  my  lips  profusely  pour. 
As  th'  insatiate  bard  could  want. 
Or  his  bounteous  Lesbia  grant ; 
As  the  vagrant  loves,  that  stray 
On  thy  lip's  nectareous  way ; 
As  the  dimpling  graces  spread 
On  thy  cheek's  carnation'd  bed ; 
As  the  deaths  thy  lovers  die ; 
As  the  conquests  of  thine  eye ; 
Or  the  cares,  and  fond  delights. 
Which  its  changeful  beam  incites ; 
As  the  hopes  and  fears  we  prove. 
Or  th'  impassioned  sighs,  in  love ; 
As  the  shafts  by  Cupid  sped. 
Shafts !  by  which  my  heart  has  bled ; 
As  the  countless  stores,  that  still 
All  his  golden  quiver  fill. 


62 


KISS   XVI 

Whisper'd  plaints,  and  wanton  wiles ; 
Speeches  soft,  and  soothing  smiles ; 
Teeth-imprinted,  tell-tale  blisses ; 
Intermix  with  all  thy  kisses  : 
So,  when  Zephyr's  breezy  wing 
Wafts  the  balmy  breath  of  spring. 
Turtles  thus  their  loves  repeat. 
Fondly-billing,  murm'ring-sweet ; 
While  their  trembling  pinions  tell 
What  delights  their  bosoms  swell. 


Now,  when  joys  o'er  whelm  thy  mind. 
On  my  glowing  cheek  reclin'd. 
All  around,  in  am'rous  trance. 
Let  thine  eyes  voluptuous  glance ; 
And,  sufFus'd  with  passion's  flames. 
Dart  their  sweetly-trembling  gleams : 
Then,  soft-languishing,  and  sighing. 
With  delicious  transport  dying. 
Say  to  thy  officious  swain, 
"  Now  thy  fainting  fair  sustain," 


63 


KISS  XVI 

In  my  fond,  encircling  arms 

ril  receive  thy  melting  charms ; 

While  the  long,  life-teeming  kiss 

Shall  recall  thy  soul  to  bliss : 

And,  as  thus  the  vital  store 

From  my  humid  lips  I  pour. 

Till,  exhausted  with  the  play. 

All  my  spirit  wastes  away; 

Sudden,  in  my  turn,  I'll  cry, 

"  Oh  I  support  me,  for  I  die." 

To  your  fost'ring  breast  you'll  hold  me. 

In  your  warm  embrace  enfold  me ; 

While  thy  breath,  in  nectar 'd  gales. 

O'er  my  sinking  soul  prevails ; 

While  thy  kisses  sweet  impart 

Life,  and  rapture  to  the  heart. 


Thus,  when  youth  is  in  its  prime. 
Let's  enjoy  the  golden  time ; 
For,  when  smiling  youth  is  past. 
Age  these  tender  joys  shall  blast : 


64 


KISS   XVI 

Sickness,  which  our  bloom  impairs ; 
Slow-consuming,  painful  cares ; 
Death,  with  dire  remorseless  rage ; 
All  attend  the  steps  of  age. 


w 


sr 


65 


KISS   XVII 


OSES,   refresh'd  with    nightly   dew, 

display 
IK  New  beauties  blushing  to  the  dawn 

of  day ; 
)0,    by    the    kisses    of    a    rapt'rous 

night. 

Thy  vermil  lips  at  morn  blush  doubly  bright ; 
And  from  thy  face,  that's  exquisitely  fair. 
That    vermil  brightness  seems   more  bright  t'  ap- 
pear: 
Deep-purpled  vi'lets  thus  a  deeper  glow. 
Held  in  some  virgin's  snowy  hand,  will  show ; 
And  early-rip 'ning  cherries  thus  assume, 
'Mid  the  late  blossoms,  a  superior  bloom ; 
When  spring  and  summer  boast  united  pow'r. 
At  once  producing  both  the  fruit  and  flow  r. 
But  why,  when  most  thy  kisses  fire  my  heart. 
Why,  from  th'  endearing  transport  must  I  part? 
Oh  !   let  that  crimson  on  those  lips  remain 
Till  ev'ning  brings  me  to  thy  arms  again : 
Yet  should  those  lips  ere  then  some  rival  bless. 
Some  youth  whom  thou  in  secret  shalt  caress ; 


66 


KISS   XVII 

Then  may  they  cease  for  ever  to  disclose 
That  beauteous  blush,  which  emulates  the  rose ! 
Then  paler  turn,  than  my  pale  cheek  shall  prove. 
Whene'er  I  view  this  mark  of  faithless  love ! 


by 


KISS   XVIII 

HEN  Cytherea  first  beheld 

Those  lips  with  ruby  lustre  bright. 
Those  lips !  which,  as  they  blushing 

sweird. 

Blush' d  deeper  from  th'  incircling 

white  ; 


(So,  when  some  artist's  skill  inlays 

Coral  mid  ivVy's  paler  hue. 
That  height' ning  coral  soon  displays 

A  warmer  crimson  to  the  view ;) 

Then,  urg'd  by  envy  and  by  hate. 

Which  rising  sighs  and  tears  betray'd. 

She  call'd  her  wanton  loves  ;  —  and  strait 
The  wanton  loves  her  call  obey'd : 

To  whom  the  queen  in  plaintive  strain ;  — 

"Ah !  what,  my  boys,  avails  it  now. 

That  to  these  lips  the  Phrygian  swain 

Decreed  the  prize  on  Ida's  brow  ? 


68 


KISS   XVIII 

**  That  prize  !  for  which,  elate  with  pride. 
The  martial  maid  contentious  strove ; 

That  prize  !  to  Juno's  self  denied, 
Tho'  sister,  tho*  the  wife  of  Jove : 

"  If,  to  pervert  this  swain's  decree, 
A  poet's  partial  judgment  dare 

His  mortal  nymph  prefer  to  me. 
Her  lips  with  lips  divine  compare ! 

"  Swift,  then,  ye  vengeful  cupids,  fly 
With  loaded  quivers  to  the  bard; 

Let  all  the  pangs  ye  can  supply 
His  matchless  insolence  reward : 

"  Go,  practise  evVy  cruel  art 

Revenge  can  frame,  without  delay ; 

His  bosom  pierce  with  ev'ry  dart 

Which  love's  soft  poison  may  convey : 

"  But  wound  not  with  such  darts  the  fair. 
Her  breast  must  ever  cold  remain ; 


69 


KISS   XVIII 

Your  shafts  of  lead  lodge  deeply  there. 
To  freeze  the  current  of  each  vein/* 

She  spoke :  —  now  more  than  usual  fire 
Consumes  apace  my  melting  soul ; 

And  now,  fierce  torrents  of  desire 
Tumultuous  thro'  my  bosom  roll : 

While  thou,  whose  icy  heart  betrays 
No  more  concern  than  rocks  that  brave 

The  fury  of  Sicilian  seas. 

Or  Adria's  rudely-dashing  wave. 

Canst,  in  unfeeling  scorn  secure, 
Mock  all  thy  tortur'd  lover's  pain ; 

Who  for  fond  praise  is  doom'd  t'  endure. 
Ungrateful  maid  !  thy  cold  disdain. 

Yet  why,  proud  wretch !  you  thus  despise 
You  know  not ;  —  nor  how  fierce  may  prove 

Th'  ungovern'd  anger  of  the  skies, 
The  vengeance  of  the  queen  of  love  ! 


70 


.jtr: 


KISS    XVIII 

But,  oh  !  no  more  pursue  that  scorn. 

Which  ill-becomes  each  outward  grace ; 

Sure,  sweetest  manners  should  adorn 

The  nymph  who  boasts  so  sweet  a  face ! 

Then  let  thy  lips  to  mine  be  prest, 

Those  honied  lips  !   which  cause  my  care : 

Imbibing  from  my  inmost  breast 
The  latent  poison  rankling  there : 

And,  as  you  thus  partake  the  smart 
Of  all  my  torture,  —  in  your  turn 

You'll  catch  the  flame  that  warms  my  heart. 
And  soon  with  mutual  passion  burn. 

But  fear  not  thou  the  pow'rs  divine. 
Fear  not  the  potent  queen  of  love ! 

Beauty,  well-guarded  maid  !  like  thine 
Can  sway  th'  imperial  souls  above. 


71 


KISS   XIX 

*HY  wing  your  flight,  ye  bees !  from 

flow'r  to  flow'r  ? 
Why,  toiling  thus,  collect  the  luscious 

store 
From  blossom' d  thyme  empurpling 

all  the  ground  ? 
From  the  rich  anise  breathing  odours  round  ? 
Why  sip  the  vernal  vi'let's  nectar'd  dew  ? 
Or  spoil  the  fragrant  rose  of  blushing  hue  ? 
Fly  to  the  lips,  ye  wantons  !  of  my  fair ; 
And  gather  all  your  balmy  treasures  there ; 
Thence  catch  the  fragrance  of  the  blushing  rose ; 
Thence  sip  that  dew  which  from  the  vi'let  flows ; 
Thence  the  rich  odours  of  the  anise  steal ; 
And   thence    the   blossom'd    thyme's   perfume   in- 
hale: 
Lips !  where  those  tears  in  genuine  moisture  dwell, 
That  from  Narcissus  self-enamour' d  fell ; 
Lips  !  deeply-ting'd  with  Hyacinthus'  blood. 
Which,  with  the  tears  in  one  commingled  flood. 
Impregnating  the  fertile  womb  of  earth. 
First  gave  the  variegated  flowV  its  birth : 


72 


liiititfu.  ^Ak 


i^Ji 


KISS    XIX 

Soon,  by  the  nectar'd  show'rs  that  Heav'n  bestow' d. 
With  fanning  gales,  the  motley  offspring  blow'd : 
For  drops  of  blood,  lo  !  crimson  streaks  appear ; 
And  streaks  uncolour'd  for  each  lucid  tear. 


But  still,  ye  bees  well-favoured  !  grateful  prove ; 
Let  no  unkind  refusals  pay  my  love. 
If  e'er  I  claim  (what's  sure  my  rightful  due) 
To  share  those  lips,  those  honied  lips !  with  you : 
Nor  suck  insatiate  all  their  balm  away. 
And  to  your  bursting  cells  the  sweets  convey ; 
Lest,  when  to  cool  my  fever'd  lips  I  try, 
Neaera's  lips  no  cooling  dews  supply ; 
Then  shall  I  justly  reap  the  sad  reward 
Of  what  misguided  confidence  declar'd. 


And,  oh !  to  wound  her  tender  lips  forbear ; 
Or  dread  the  fatal  vengeance  of  the  fair : 
Tho'  sharp  your  stings,  her  eyes  can  scatter  round 
Darts  that  with  more  tormenting  stings  may  wound  ! 


73 


KISS    XIX 

Nor,  as  ye  sip,  inflict  the  slightest  pain. 
For  unreveng'd  the  wrong  will  ne'er  remain ; 
But  gently  gather,  from  those  precious  rills, 
Th'  ambrosial  drops  each  humid  lip  distils. 


74 


«:j^"r: 


iiitii 


EPITHALAMIUM 


7S 


THE    EPITHALAMIUM 

Translated  by  George  Ogle 


|HE    hour    is    come,    with    pleasure 
crowned, 

jBorne  in  eternal  order  round ! 

Hour,  of  endearing  looks  and  smiles, 

Hour,     of    voluptuous     sports     and 
wiles. 

Hour,  fraught  with  fondly-murmuring  sighs. 
Hour,  blest  with  softly  dying  eyes. 
Hour,  with  commingling  kisses  sweet. 
Hour,  of  transporting  bliss  replete. 
Hour,  worthy  ev'n  of  gods  above. 
Hour,  worthy  all-commanding  Jove ! 
For  not  a  fairer-omened  hour 
Could  promise  the  kind  Cnidian  power ; 
Not  tender  Cupid  could  bestow. 
The  boy  with  silver-splendid  bow 
And  golden  wing,  delicious  boy. 
That  sorrow  still  allays  with  joy ; 


77 


THE   EPITHALAMIUM 

Nor,  wont  at  nuptials  to  preside. 

She  that  of  Jove  is  sister-bride ; 

Nor  he,  on  tuneful  summit  born. 

The  god  whom  flowery  wreaths  adorn. 

Who  blooming  beauty  tears  away. 

Bears  off  by  force  the  charming  prey ; 

From  the  reluctant  mother  tears. 

To  the  rapacious  lover  bears. 

Hour  long  desired  !  hour  long  delayed  ! 

Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid  ! 

Thrice  happy  youth,  supremely  blest. 
Of  every  wish  in  one  possest ! 
To  thee,  the  maid  of  form  divine 
Comes  seeming  loath,  but  inly  thine : 
Such  form  as  Juno's  self  might  choose. 
Nor  yet  the  martial  maid  refuse ; 
Though  that  th'  aetherial  sceptre  sways. 
And  this  the  shining  shield  displays : 
Nor  yet  the  Cyprian  queen  disdain. 
But,  to  reseek  the  Phrygian  swain 
And  cause  of  beauty  redecide 


78 


-1  iiir""itfi  TT^'Tn — T — ■aariiiiiiiiiMiiiigriMr'^  •-- 


THE   EPITHALAMIUM 

In  shady  vale  of  flowering  Ide, 
How  sure  to  gain  the  golden  prize,  — 
Though  judged  by  less  discerning  eyes,  — 
She,  in  that  matchless  form  arrayed : 
Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid ! 

Thrice  happy  maid,  supremely  blest. 
Of  every  wish  in  one  possest ! 
To  thee,  on  wings  of  love  and  truth. 
Comes,  all  devote,  the  raptured  youth. 
Thy  bending  neck  with  eager  hold. 
Thy  waist  impatient  to  enfold ; 
While,  for  that  hair  of  easy  flow. 
While,  for  that  breast  of  virgin  snow. 
While,  for  that  lip  of  rosy  dye. 
While,  for  that  sweetly-speaking  eye. 
With  silent  passion  he  expires 
And  burns  with  still-consuming  fires. 
Now  Phoebus,  slow  to  quit  the  skies. 
Now  loitering  Phoebus,  slow  to  rise. 
Persists  alternate  to  upbraid ! 
Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid  ! 


79 


THE   EPITHALAMIUM 

Spare,  youth,  your  vows,  vain  oifFerings  spare 
Forbear  your  needless  sighs,  forbear : 
Lo  !  Time,  in  ever-varying  race. 
Brings  on  at  last  the  wished-for  space. 
Mild  Venus,  with  propitious  ears. 
The  sorrows  of  her  votaries  hears ; 
While  Cynthius,  down  the  western  steeps. 
Low  plunges  in  Iberian  deeps. 
And  quits  the  ample  fields  of  air 
To  his  night-wandering  sister's  care : 
Than  whom  no  light  more  grateful  shines 
To  souls  which  mutual  love  conjoins ; 
Not  he  that  leads  the  stars  along. 
Brightest  of  all  the  glittering  throng, 
Hesper,  with  golden  torch  displayed : 
Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid  ! 

See  where  the  maid  all  panting  lies. 
Ah !  never  more  a  maid  to  rise. 
And  longs,  yet  trembles  at  thy  tread. 
Her  cheeks  perfused  with  decent  red, 
Expressing-half  her  inward  flame. 


80 


^asamm 


^^gigammamasimimmimm^ 


THE    EPITHALAMIUM 

Half-springing  from  ingenuous  shame : 
Tears  from  her  eyes  perhaps  may  steal. 
Her  joys  the  better  to  conceal ; 
Then  sighs,  with  grief  unreal  fraught. 
Then  follow  plaints  of  wrongs  unthought. 
But  cease  not  thou,  with  idle  fears. 
For  all  her  plaints,  or  sighs,  or  tears: 
Kissed  be  the  tears  from  off  her  eyes ; 
With  tender  murmurs  stopped,  her  sighs ; 
With  soothings  soft  her  plaints  allayed : 
Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid  ! 

The  maid,  in  decent  order  placed. 
With  every  bridal  honour  graced. 
Through  all  her  limbs  begin  to  spread 
The  glowings  of  the  genial  bed 
And  languid  sleep  dispose  to  take. 
Did  not  the  youth,  more  watchful,  wake ; 
And  the  mild  queen  of  fierce  desire 
With  warmth,  not  disproportioned,  fire. 
Taught  hence,  nor  purpled  kings  to  prize. 
Nor  sceptred  Jove  that  rules  the  skies. 


8i 


THE    EPITHALAMIUM 

Soon  for  soft  combats  he  prepares. 

And  gentle  toils  of  amorous  wars : 

Declared,  but  with  no  loud  alarms. 

Begun,  but  with  no  dreaded  arms : 

Kisses,  which,  wanton  as  he  strays. 

He  darts  a  thousand  wanton  ways 

At  mouth,  or  neck,  or  eyes,  or  cheeks ; 

Him  humbly  she  full  oft  bespeaks. 

Entreats,  an  helpless  maid  to  spare. 

And  begs  with  trembling  voice,  "  Forbear ; 

Full  oft  his  rudeness  loudly  blames ; 

His  boundless  insolence  proclaims ; 

His  lips  with  lips  averse  withstands ; 

With  hands  restrains  his  roving  hands : 

Resistance  sweet,  delicious  fight : 

O  night !  O  doubly  happy  night ! 

Contention  obstinate  succeeds ; 
The  tender  Loves  contention  feeds. 
By  that,  redoubled  ardour  burns ; 
By  that,  redoubled  strength  returns. 
Now  o'er  her  neck  take  nimble  flight. 


82 


iMMlitfiMMMiiiiltMii^^ 


THE   EPITHALAMIUM 

Her  breast,  as  spotless  ivory  white. 
Her  waist  of  gradual  rising  charms, 
Soft-moulded  legs,  smooth-polished  arms ; 
Search  all  the  tracts,  in  curious  sport. 
Conductive  to  the  Cyprian  court ; 
Through  all  the  dark  recesses  go. 
And  all  the  shady  coverts  know : 
To  this,  unnumbered  kisses  join. 
Unnumbered  as  the  stars  that  shine. 
Commingling  rays  of  blended  light : 
O  night !   O  doubly  happy  night ! 

Then,  spare  no  blandishments  of  love  : 
Sounds  that  with  softening  flattery  move : 
Sighs  that  with  soothing  murmur  please : 
The  injured  virgin  to  appease : 
Such,  as  when  Zephyr  fans  the  grove. 
Or  coos  the  amorous  billing  dove. 
Or  sings  the  swan  with  tuneful  breath. 
Conscious  of  near  approaching  death  : 
Till,  pierced  by  Cupid's  powerful  dart. 
As  by  degrees  relents  her  heart. 


83 


THE    EPITHALAMIUM 

The  virgin,  less  and  less  severe. 
Quits  by  degrees  her  stubborn  fear ; 
Now,  on  your  arms  her  neck  reclines. 
Now,  with  your  arms  her  neck  entwines, 
As  love's  resistless  flames  incite : 
O  night !  O  doubly  happy  night  I 


Sweet  kisses  shall  reward  your  pains. 
Kisses  which  no  rude  rapine  stains. 
From  lips  on  swelling  lips  that  swell. 
From  lips  on  dwelling  lips  that  dwell. 
That  play  return  with  equal  play. 
That  bliss  with  equal  bliss  repay. 
That  vital  stores  from  either  heart. 
Imbibing,  soul  for  soul  impart ; 
Till  now  the  maid,  adventurous  grown. 
Attempts  new  frolics  of  her  own ; 
Now  suffers,  strangers  to  the  way. 
Her  far  more  daring  hands  to  stray ; 
Now  sports  far  more  salacious  seeks ; 
Now  words  far  more  licentious  speaks, 


84 


THE    EPITHALAMIUM 

Words  that  past  sufferings  well  requite : 
O  night !  O  doubly  happy  night ! 

To  arms  !  to  arms  !  now  Cupid  sounds ; 
Now  is  the  time  for  grateful  wounds : 
Here  Venus  waves  the  nimble  spear, 
Venus  is  warlike  goddess  here. 
Here,  not  thy  sister.  Mars,  presides ; 
Thy  mistress  in  those  conflicts  prides. 
While  close  engage  the  struggling  foes. 
And  restless,  breast  to  breast  oppose ; 
While  eager  this  disputes  the  field. 
And  that  alike  disdains  to  yield. 
Till  lo  !  in  breathless  transports  tost. 
Till,  in  resistless  raptures  lost. 
Their  limbs  with  liquid  dews  distill. 
Their  hearts  with  pleasing  horrors  thrill. 
And  faint  away  in  wild  delight : 
O  night !   O  doubly  happy  night ! 

O  may  you  oft  these  sports  renew. 

And  through  long  days  and  nights  pursue ; 


85 


THE   EPITHALAMIUM 

With  many  an  early  moon  begun. 
Prolonged  to  many  a  setting  sun. 
May  a  fair  offspring  crown  your  joys. 
Of  prattling  girls  and  smiling  boys ; 
And  yet  another  offspring  rise. 
Sweet  objects  to  parental  eyes. 
The  cares  assiduous  to  assuage 
That  still  solicit  querulous  age ; 
Careful  your  trembling  limbs  to  stay. 
That  fail  with  unperceived  decay ; 
Pious,  when  summoned  hence  you  go. 
The  last  kind  office  to  bestow, 
Office,  with  unfeigned  sorrow  paid : 
Thrice  happy  youth  !  thrice  happy  maid  ! 


86 


<  ;*j^ 


^jjIgjMjjjj^^^ 


FRAGMENTS 


87 


IvJi  'i 


SOME 


Fragments   and    Poetical    Pieces 


ON    THE 


KISS 


A    FRAGMENT 

To  LTDIA 

OVELY  Lydia,  lovely  maid ! 

Either  rose  in  thee's  displayed ; 

Roses  of  a  blushing  red 

O'er  thy  lips,  and  cheeks  are  shed ; 

Roses  of  a  paly  hue 

In  thy  fairer  charms  we  view. 


Now  thy  braided  hair  unbind ; 
Now,  luxuriant,  unconfin'd. 
Let  thy  wavy  tresses  flow ; 
Tresses  bright,  of  burnish' d  glow  ! 
Bare  thy  iv'ry  neck,  my  fair ! 
Now  thy  snowy  shoulders  bare : 


89 


A   FRAGMENT 


^     »A 


Bid  the  vivid  lustre  rise       li; 
In  thy  passion-streaming  eyes ; 
See,  the  lucent  meteors  gleam  ! 
See,  they  speak  the  wishful  flame ! 
And  how  gracefully  above, 
Modeird  from  the  bow  of  love. 
Are  thy  arching  brows  displayed. 
Softening  in  a  sable  shade ! 
Let  a  warmer  crimson  streak 
The  velvet  of  thy  downy  cheek : 
Let  thy  lips,  that  breathe  perfume. 
Deeper  purple  now  assume : 
Give  me  little  billing  kisses, 
Intermixt  with  murm'ring  blisses. 
Soft,  my  love !  —  my  angel,  stay !  — 
Soft !  —  you  suck  my  breath  away. 
Drink  the  life-drops  of  my  heart. 
Draw  my  soul  from  ev'ry  part ; 
Scarce  my  senses  can  sustain 
So  much  pleasure,  so  much  pain ! 
Hide  thy  broad,  voluptuous  breast ! 
Hide  that  balmy  heav'n  of  rest ! 


90 


MM 


msskimmmmammmmmmmmmmmimmmm^^ 


A   FRAGMENT 

See,  to  feast  th'  enamour' d  eyes. 
How  the  snowy  hillocks  rise ! 
Parted  by  the  luscious  vale. 
Whence  luxurious  sweets  exhale : 
Nature  fram'd  thee  but  t'  inspire 
Never-ending,  fond  desire ! 
Again,  above  its  envious  vest. 
See,  thy  bosom  heaves  confest ! 
Hide  the  raptVous,  dear  delight ! 
Hide  it  from  my  ravish'd  sight ! 
Hide  it !  —  for  thro'  all  my  soul 
Tides  of  madd'ning  transport  roll : 
Venting  now  th'  impassion' d  sigh. 
See  me  languish,  see  me  die ! 
Tear  not  from  me  then  thy  charms 
Snatch,  oh,  snatch  me  to  thy  arms  I 
With  a  life-inspiring  kiss. 
Wake  my  sinking  soul  to  bliss ! 


91 


ON    LESBIA 

'HEN  beauteous  Lesbia  fires  my  melt- 
ing soul, 
[(She,  who  the  torch  and  bow  from 

Cupid  stole,) 
By  many  a  smile,  by  many  an  ardent 
kiss; 

And  with  her  teeth  imprints  the  tell-tale  bliss : 
Thro'  all  my  frame  the  madding  transport  glows. 
Thro'  ev'ry  vein  the  tide  of  rapture  flows. 
As  many  stars  as  o'er  Heav'n's  concave  shine. 
Or  clusters  as  adorn  the  fruitful  vine ; 
So  many  blandishments,  voluptuous  joys, 
T'  inflame  my  breast,  the  wily  maid  employs. 
But,  dearest  Lesbia  !  gentle  mistress  !  say. 
Why  thus  d'ye  wound  my  lips  in  am'rous  play  ? 
With  kisses,  smiles,  and  ev'ry  wanton  art. 
Why  raise  the  burning  fever  of  my  heart  ? 
Let  us,  my  love !  on  yon  soft  couch  reclin'd. 
Each  other's  arms  around  each  other  twin'd. 
Yield  to  the  pleasing  force  of  strong  desire; 
And,  panting,  struggling,  both  at  once  expire ! 
For,  oh,  my  Lesbia !  sure  that  death  is  sweet. 
Which  lovers  in  the  fond  contention  meet ! 


92 


rtT" ',  ..^ararysa^ 


"^^rr  ^T^nF 


ryrrrsr- 


mmm 


KISS    XVI.    OF    BONEFONIUS 

LASP'D,  sweet  maid !    in    thy  em- 
brace ; 
While  I  view  thy  smiling  face. 
And  the  sweets  with  rapture  sip. 
Flowing  from  thy  honied  lip ; 
Then  I  taste,  in  heav'nly  state. 
All  that's  happy,  all  that's  great: 


But,  when  you  forsake  my  arms. 
And  displeasure  clouds  your  charms ; 
Sudden  I,  who  prov'd  so  late 
All  that's  happy,  all  that's  great. 
Prove  the  tortures  of  a  ghost. 
Wand' ring  on  the  Stygian  coast. 


^  or  TM£ 

Of 


\ 


93 


THE    PASTIME    OF   VENUS 


NTENT  to  frame  some  new  design 

of  bliss, 
The  wanton  Cyprian  queen  compos' d 

a  kiss : 
'An  ample  portion  of  ambrosial  juice 
|With  mystic  skill  she  temper'd  first 

for  use ; 
This  done,  her  infant  work  was  well  bedew' d 
With  choicest  nectar ;  and  o'er  all  she  strew'd 
Part  of  the  honey  which  sly  Cupid  stole. 
Much  to  his  cost,  and  blended  with  the  whole ; 
Then,  that  soft  scent  which  from  the  vi'let  flows 
She  mixt,  with  spoils  of  many  a  vernal  rose ; 
Each  gentle  blandishment  in  love  we  find. 
Each  graceful  winning  gesture  next  she  join'd ; 
And  all  those  joys  that  in  her  zone  abound 
Made  up  the  kiss,  and  the  rich  labour  crown'd. 
Considering  now  what  beauteous  nymph  might  prove 
Worthy  the  gift,  and  worthy  of  her  love ; 
She  fixt  on  Chloe,  as  her  fav'rite  maid ; 
To  whom  the  goddess  sweetly-smiling  said : 
"  Take  this,  my  fair !  to  perfect  ev'ry  grace ; 
And  on  thy  lips  the  fragrant  blessing  place." 


94 


MUTUAL   KISSING 

HEN  o'er  the  virgin  cheek  we  meet 
Health's  tender  -  blooming  roses 
spread ; 

To  kiss  those  roses  may  be  sweet. 
To  kiss  them  on  their  native  bed ! 


Full  well  experienced  lovers  know. 
And  chief  the  few  who  blissful  burn. 

That  kiss  is  lifeless  we  bestow 

On  charms  that  yield  no  kind  return : 

But  sure  those  kisses  breathe  delight. 
Where  love  the  sweetly-vengeful  dart 

Exchanges,  while  fond  lips  unite. 
Lips  echoing-soft  as  kisses  part ! 

When  one  warm  wish  enflames  the  pair. 
Not  less  endearing  kisses  prove; 

Each  gives,  each  takes  an  equal  share ; 
Sweet  interchange  of  sweetest  love  ! 


95 


MUTUAL    KISSING 

Kiss  the  dear  lip,  the  swelling  breast. 

The  snow-white  hand,  the  forehead  kiss ; 

'Tis  by  the  lip  the  joy's  exprest, 
'Tis  the  kind  lip  repays  the  bliss. 


When  lovers'  lips  in  transport  join. 

Their  souls  to  share  that  transport  fly ; 

And,  as  their  mingling  breaths  combine. 
The  purple  gems  with  life  supply : 

Then  each  inspired  kiss  imparts. 

In  sounds  half-utter' d,  half-supprest. 

The  tender  secrets  of  their  hearts. 
Secrets  to  lips  alone  confest ! 

Where  soul  is  thus  with  soul  entwin'd. 
The  living  rapture  is  improv'd ; 

'Tis  rapture  of  the  sweetest  kind. 

To  kiss  when  kiss'd,  to  love  when  lov'd 


96 


ON   A   KISS 

H  !  canst  thou,  cruel  nymph !    sup- 
pose 
One  kiss  rewards  thy  am'rous  youth; 

Enough  rewards  his  tender  woes ; 
His    long,    long    constancy;    and 
truth  ? 


Think  not  thy  promised  kindness  paid 
By  simple  kissing  ;  —  for  the  kiss 

Is  but  an  earnest,  beauteous  maid ! 
Of  more  substantial,  future  bliss : 

Sweet  kisses  only  were  designed 
Our  warmer  raptures  to  improve ; 

Kisses  were  meant  soft  vows  to  bind. 
Were  silent  pledges  meant  of  love. 


97 


CUPID    STRAYED 


ES,  beauteous  queen ;  —  thy  son,  they 
say. 

Thy  wanton  son  !  is  gone  astray  :  — 

Nay,  Venus,  more;  —  'tis  said,  from 
thee        tU*^<^^    ^^ 

|A  kiss  the  sweet  reward  shall  be 
To  any  swain,  who  truly  tells 
Where  'tis  the  little  Wand'rer  dwells :        *or! 
Then  grieve  no  more,  nor  drop  a  tear ; 
For  know  the  little  urchin's  here;  rj  ns  usa  zl 

He,  from  the  search  of  vulgar  eyes,       j:;  yiofa\0 
Conceal' d  within  my  bosom  lies  : 
Now,  goddess,  as  I've  told  thee  this ; 
Give  me,  oh,  give  the  promis'd  kiss ! 


1,' 


98 


m —   ' 


■.'-*^;. 


^*'^i 


iWifiM 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

Translated 
I 

CHOICEST  gift  of  heav'nly  kind! 

O,  sacred  source  of  joy  refin'd ! 

Thou  latent  spring,  whose  vast  con- 
trol 

Extends    throughout    the    boundless 
whole ! 

Attraction  strong  !  all-powerful  cause, 
Enforcing  Nature's  hidden  laws ! 
Thou  magic  lightning,  that  canst  burn 
What-e'er  you  touch,  where-e'er  you  turn  ! 
Touch  but  the  lips,  and  you  dispense 
The  brisk  alarm  thro'  evVy  sense : 
Come,  hover  round  my  tuneful  lyre. 
And  ev'ry  swelling  note  inspire ; 
So  shall  the  warmth  my  strains  express  :  it^. 

Thy  rapture-giving  powV  confess. 


99 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 
II 

To  those,  who  own  your  gentle  sway. 
You  darts  of  pleasing  flame  convey ; 
Your  kindling  sparks,  that  ne'er  can  die. 
Blind  Cupid's  burning  torch  supply : 
How  dull  the  spring  of  life  wou'd  prove. 
Without  the  kiss  that  waits  on  love ! 
Youth  first  to  thee  its  homage  pays. 
Becomes  enlighten' d  from  thy  rays ; 
And,  hast'ning  by  your  fost'ring  fires 
The  birth  of  all  the  gay  desires. 
From  youthful  lips  you  soon  receive 
The  richest  harvests  lips  can  give. 


Ill 

Far  from  the  world's  more  glaring  eye. 
What  crowds  of  wretched  beings  lie ; 
Who  seem  in  dull  oblivion  doom'd 
For  ever  to  remain  entomb'd ! 
To  them  no  zephyr's  balmy  wing 


lOO 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

Refreshing  gales,  or  sweets  can  bring ; 
No  rip  ning  crops  of  golden  grain 
For  them  adorn  the  waving  plain : 
Yet,  thy  persuasive  magic  binds 
To  this  terrestrial  orb  their  minds ; 
And  bids  them,  in  their  gloomy  state. 
Smile,  nor  regret  their  piteous  fate. 


IV 

The  flowVs,  that  in  yon  meadow  grow. 
To  thee  their  bloom,  their  fragrance  owe ; 
The  blossom'd  shrubs,  in  gaudy  dress. 
Thy  genial  warmth,  thy  pow'r  confess ; 
The  stream,  that  winds  along  the  grove. 
And  courts  the  shore  with  waves  of  love. 
Is  taught  by  thee  the  fond  embrace. 
By  thee  is  taught  each  rural  grace : 
On  gently-parted  lips,  say,  why 
Is  plac'd  the  rose's  beauteous  dye? 
Because,  on  that  soft  seat  of  bliss 
Abides  the  rosy-breathing  kiss. 


loi 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 


Let  rigid  scruple  furl  her  brow. 
And  blame  the  comforts  you  bestow : 
The  sage,  the  hero,  thee  obey ; 
Nay,  legislators  own  thy  sway. 
See,  threatening  Caesar  mounts  his  car. 
To  join  th'  embattled  sons  of  war ; 
Swift  from  the  capitol  he  flies. 
And  ev'ry  hostile  warrior  dies : 
But  soon  he  quits  the  bleeding  plain. 
With  transport  hugs  fair  beauty's  chain. 
And,  e'en  beneath  his  laurel's  shade. 
Caresses  many  a  Roman  maid. 


VI 

Could  Mahomet,  whose  dauntless  soul 
Superior  rose  to  all  control. 
Whose  breast  was  fir'd  with  hope  sublime. 
Who  thought  that  ignorance  and  crime 
Were  destin'd  o'er  this  globe  t'  have  reign' d ; 


1 02 


■  IfTllMIII  I 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

Could  that  stern  victor  have  sustained 
The  harsh,  fatiguing  toil  of  arms ; 
Had  not  his  houris'  soothing  charms. 
And  tender  kisses,  luU'd  to  rest 
The  martial  tumults  of  his  breast ; 
If  the  seraglio  of  this  earth 
Had  not  to  those  sweet  joys  giv  n  birth. 
Which,  in  the  paradise  of  love. 
The  prophet  hop'd  to  taste  above  ? 


VII 

But  tow'ring  domes,  that  strike  the  eyes 
With  outward  grandeur,  you  despise ; 
There  stormy  passions  govern  sense. 
And  banish  tender  feelings  thence. 
Say,  couldst  thou  well-contented  lie 
On  lips  with  shrivell'd  coldness  dry. 
On  lips,  that  no  bright  purple  wear ! 
But  pal'd  by  sickness,  or  by  care  ? 
The  gilded  ceilings,  beds  of  state. 
The  gaudy  chambers  of  the  great. 


103 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

Th'  embroidered  cushions  they  display. 
Must  fright  the  gentle  kiss  away. 


vni 

Fly  to  the  rural,  shadowy  dells : 
There  peace  in  calm  retirement  dwells ; 
And,  underneath  the  beech's  shade. 
Thy  amVous  secrets  are  displayed ; 
There,  on  the  hay-mow,  or  the  grass. 
Sport  the  fond  youth,  and  fonder  lass  ; 
There,  unconstrained  in  frolic  play, 
A  kiss  they  lend,  a  kiss  repay ; 
Pleasures  so  num'rous  round  them  flow. 
Envy  can  ne'er  the  number  know ; 
Nor  are  the  lips'  sweet  joys  deny'd 
By  prudes,  affecting  virtuous  pride. 

IX 

Tho'  tempted  hence  your  flight  to  take. 
My  humble  mansion  ne'er  forsake ; 


104 


■ggT"^. 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

To  you  if  constant  I  remain. 
Let  kindness  recompense  my  pain ! 
Around  my  youth  fresh  flow'rets  shed. 
Till  age  shall  silver  o'er  my  head ; 
Then  softly  fan  my  drooping  fires. 
And  wake  the  half-extinct  desires : 
So  mayst  thou,  in  thy  wand'rings,  meet 
Young  innocence,  who  smiles  so  sweet ! 
And  may  she  all-submissive  prove. 
To  thee,  the  guiltless  guest  of  love ! 


So  may  the  nymph  of  gay  fifteen. 
By  strict  maternal  eyes  unseen. 
To  some  sequestered  grove  retire ; 
There,  reading,  nurse  her  infant  fire ; 
Free  from  a  parent's  stern  control. 
Explore  her  newly-op'ning  soul ; 
And  riot  o'er  my  am'rous  page. 
Soft-yielding  to  voluptuous  rage  ! 


los 


HYMN   TO   THE   KISS 

So  may  sweet  dreams  of  rapt'rous  joy 
Her  pleasing  slumbers  oft  employ ; 
Till  many  a  fond,  illusive  kiss 
Shall  almost  realise  the  bliss ! 


1 06 


KISS 


AFTER    THE    MANNER     OF 


SECUNDUS 


To  CYNTHIA 

HE  transient  season  let's  improve. 
That  human  life  allots  to  love : 
Youth  soon,  my  Cynthia !  flies  away, 
nd  age  assumes  its  frozen  sw^ay ; 
jjjjj^^g^^lWith  elegance  and  neatness  drest, 
^g^^gjmCome,  then,  in  beauty's  bloom  con- 
fest. 


And  in  my  fond  embrace  be  blest ! 

Faint  strugglings  but  inflame  desire. 
And  serve  to  fan  the  lover's  fire : 
Then  yield  not  all  at  once  your  charms. 
But  with  reluctance  fill  my  arms ; 


107 


A   KISS 

My  arms!  that  shall  with  eager  haste 

Encircle  now  your  slender  waist. 

Now  round  your  neck  be  careless  hung. 

And  now  o'er  all  your  frame  be  flung : 

About  your  limbs  my  limbs  I'll  twine. 

And  lay  your  glowing  cheek  to  mine : 

Close  to  my  broader,  manlier  chest 

I'll  press  thy  firm,  proud-swelling  breast ; 

Now  rising  high,  now  falling  low ; 

As  passion's  tide  shall  ebb,  or  flow : 

My  murm'ring  tongue  shall  speak  my  bliss. 

Shall  court  your  yielding  lips  to  kiss ; 

Each  kiss  with  thousands  I'll  repay. 

And  almost  suck  your  breath  away ; 

A  thousand  more  you  then  shall  give. 

And  then  a  thousand  more  receive : 

In  transport  half-dissolv'd  we'll  lie. 

Venting  our  wishes  in  a  sigh ! 

Quick-starting  from  me,  now  display 
Your  loose,  and  discompos'd  array: 
Your  hair  shall  o'er  your  polish'd  brow 


io8 


■niiiriiiMi 


A  KISS 

In  sweetly-wild  disorder  flow ; 
And  those  long  tresses  from  behind. 
You  us'd  in  artful  braids  to  bind. 
Shall  down  your  snowy  bosom  spread 
Redundant,  in  a  soften'd  shade  ; 
And  from  your  wishful  eyes  shall  stream 
The  dewy  light  of  passion's  flame : 
While  now  and  then  a  look  shall  glance ; 
Your  senses  lost  in  am'rous  trance ; 
That  fain  my  rudeness  wou*d  reprove. 
Yet  plainly  tells  how  strong  your  love : 
The  roses,  heightening  on  your  cheek. 
Shall  the  fierce  tide  of  rapture  speak ; 
And  on  your  lips  a  warmer  glow 
The  deepened  ruby  then  shall  show : 
Your  breast,  replete  with  youthful  fire. 
Shall  heave  with  tumults  of  desire ; 
Shall  heave  at  thoughts  of  wish'd-for  bliss. 
Springing  as  tho'  Would  meet  my  kiss : 
Down  on  that  heav  n  I'll  sink  quite  spent. 
And  lie  in  tender  languishment ; 
But  soon  your  charms'  reviving  powV 


109 


A   KISS 

Shall  to  my  frame  new  life  restore : 
With  love  ril  then  my  pains  assuage; 
With  kisses  cool  my  wanton  rage ; 
Hang  o'er  thy  beauties  till  I  cloy ; 
Then  cease,  and  then  renew  my  joy  ! 


FINIS 


no 


HIS  Book  is  Number .^...r........of 

in  Edition  of  The  Basia  of  Joannes 
jSecundus,  consisting  of  Three  Hun- 
jdred  and  Sixty-five  Copies  printed 
ipon  Dutch  Hand-made  Paper,  and 
wenty-six  Hand-illumined  Copies 
upon  Japan  Vellum.  The  Title-page  and  Initials 
are  designed  by  Ralph  Fletcher  Seymour.  Printed 
at  the  Colonial  Press  in  Boston  for  Frank  M. 
Morris. 


Ill 


m 


•^i 


—ir-m 


} 


MMMtfiMMiMH^^ 


i- 


mmmMatmimm. 


OVERDUE. 


MfflfjjjaB&a^ 


